⇛ It is a unauthorized copying of software.
⇛ Most retail programs are licensed for at just one computer site or for use by only one user at any time.
⇛ By buying the software you become a licensed user rather than an owner.
⇛ You are allowed to make copies of the program for backup purpose, but it is against the law to give copies to friends and coliedgues.
⇛ Software piracy is illegal distribution and reproduction of adobe software applications or fonts for business or personal use.
⇛ Software piracy is all but impossible to stop, although software companies are launching more and more Law suits against major intractors.
⇛ Originally, software companies tried to stop software piracy by copy - protecting their software.
⇛ This strategy failed, however because it was inconvenient for users and was not 100% foolproof.
⇛ Most software now requires some sort of registration, which may discourage would be pirates but doesn't really stop software privacy.
Types of Software Piracy
It seems that illegal software is available anywhere, to anyone, at any time. The following are some of the methods by which illegal copies of software circulate among computer users.
Softlifting
⇛ The most common type of piracy, softlifting, (also called softloading), means sharing a program with someone who is not authorized by the license agreement to use it. A common form of softlifting involves purchasing a single licensed copy of software and then loading the software onto several computers, in violation of licensing terms. On college campuses, it is rare to find a software program that has not been softloaded. People regularly lend programs to their roommates and friends, either not realizing it’s wrong, or not thinking that it’s a big deal. Softlifting is common in both businesses and homes.
⇛ In sort which is loading software with a single license onto multiple computer.
Uploading/Downloading (Online piracy)
⇛ Which refers to unauthorised copying of software over the internet.
⇛ The fastest-growing form of piracy is Internet piracy. With the growing number of users online, and with the rapidly increasing connection speeds, the exchange of software on the Internet has attracted an extensive following. In the past, bulletin board systems (BBS) were the only place where one could download pirated software. Currently, there are hundreds of thousands of “warez” sites providing unlimited downloads to any user. Often, the software provided through these “warez” sites is cracked to eliminate any copy protection schemes.
Counterfeiting
⇛ Counterfeiting means producing fake copies of a software, making it look authentic. This involves providing the box, CDs, and manuals, all designed to look as much like the original product as possible. Microsoft products are the ones most commonly counterfeited, because of their widespread use. Most commonly, a copy of a CD is made with a CD-burner, and a photocopy of the manual is made. Counterfeit software is sold on street corners, and sometimes unknowingly sold even in retail stores. Counterfeit software is sold at prices far below the actual retail price.
⇛ In sort in which software is illegally copied and sold as legitimate.
OEM (Original Equipment Menufacturing) un-bundling
⇛ When software is sold separately from the hardware with which it was bundled.
⇛ An example of this form of piracy is someone providing drivers to a specific printer without authorization.
Hard disk loading
⇛ Which is when a hardware dealer illegally install software into the hardware before selling it.
⇛ This makes the deal more attractive to the buyer, at virtually no cost to the dealer. The dealer usually does not provide the buyer with manuals or the original CDs of the software. This is how operating systems, like Windows 95, are often pirated.
Renting
⇛ Renting involves someone renting out a copy of software for temporary use, without the permission of the copyright holder. The practice, similar to that of renting a video from Blockbuster, violates the license agreement of software.
⇛ In sort which is selling software for temporary use.
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